Breast Biopsy
What is breast biopsy?
What will my procedure be like?
If stereotactic breast biopsy (SBB) is recommended
If ultrasound guided biopsy is recommended
If MR-guided biopsy is recommended
How should I prepare for my procedure?
How will I learn about my results?
What is breast biopsy?
A breast biopsy is the removal of breast tissue for pathology examination
and is the only definitive way for your doctor to determine
if an abnormality is cancerous or not. Fortunately, about 70 to 80 percent
of breast biopsies
result in a benign (non-cancerous) diagnosis. However if cancer
is present, it is crucial that the type and stage of the disease is determined
as
early as possible. Through early detection and accurate diagnosis,
more treatment options are available and a complete recovery is more likely.
Until recently, breast biopsy choices were limited to surgery.
In some cases, this still is the only option. Unlike surgical
biopsy, image-guided needle biopsy procedures are performed
by a radiologist who obtains tissue
samples from the breast using a hollow needle or vacuum assisted
probe guided by stereotactic (computer assisted x-ray) or
ultrasound techniques. These
tissue samples can then be evaluated by a pathologist to determine
if the tissue is malignant (cancerous) or benign.
What will my procedure be like?
You can take comfort in knowing that image-guided procedures are
safe, simple and only mildly uncomfortable. A board-certified
radiology physician with specialized training performs these procedures
and is assisted
by a registered technologist or ultrasonographer. The radiologist
evaluates your mammography findings and selects a technique - MR
(magnetic resonance as in MRI), stereotactic or ultrasound guided
- to optimally biopsy the lesion. Our staff will talk with you
prior to your biopsy to discuss
details about your procedure.
If stereotactic breast biopsy (SBB) is recommended
SBB takes place in a suite which is equipped with a specialized
biopsy table designed for optimal access to the breast. You
will be assisted onto the table into a prone position (on your
stomach). While you lie
on the table, images of the breast are obtained with the breast
compressed. Once the lesion in the breast has been located, a local
anesthetic is
injected and a small (approximately 1/4 inch) incision is made.
Using computer assisted x-ray techniques; the radiologist then
guides a biopsy device
to the lesion and extracts the tissue samples needed for interpretation
by a pathologist. Most patients experience little or no discomfort
during the procedure. Following the biopsy, you should be able
to resume your
normal activities the next day.
To avoid delay or rescheduling of your stereotactic breast
biopsy, arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment
time to register,
and plan for an additional two hours to complete your exam.
If ultrasound-guided biopsy is recommended
This procedure will take place in an ultrasound suite. While you
lie on a table/bed, ultrasound images of the breast are obtained
by a sonographer. Once the lesion is in view, a local anesthetic
is injected and a small (approximately 1/4 inch) incision is made.
The radiologist then
guides a biopsy device to the lesion and extracts the tissue
needed for interpretation by a pathologist. After the biopsy, you
should
be able
to resume your normal activities.
To avoid delay or rescheduling of your ultrasound guided biopsy,
arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time
to register, and plan for an additional one hour to complete your exam.
If MR-guided biopsy is recommended
This procedure takes place in an MRI suite and where you may have
already had a breast MRI. There are no special dietary preps
for this exam. You will wear a gown and be asked to remove all
jewelry (wedding rings are OK), glasses, keys and other metal objects.
Once the lesion
is in view, a local anesthetic is injected and a small (approximately
1/4 inch) incision is made. Under the guidance of the MRI,
the radiologist then guides a biopsy device to the lesion and extracts
the tissue
needed
for interpretation by a pathologist. Following the biopsy,
you should be able to resume your normal activities the next day.
To avoid delay or rescheduling of your MR-guided biopsy, arrive
one hour prior to your scheduled appointment time to register,
and plan for an additional three hours to complete your exam.
How should I prepare for an image-guided biopsy?
- it is not necessary to fast before these procedures.
- take your regular medications as prescribed. Ask your health care
provider about blood-thinning medications that you take,
including aspirin or aspirin-related products.
- if you wish to take a sedative during the biopsy, you must have
a driver to take you home.
- wear comfortable clothing. Most patients prefer to wear
a two piece garment.
- please do not wear any powder, perfumes, deodorant and/or
lotions on your underarms and breasts to the exam.
Moist towelettes are
provided and deodorant is available to reapply after your procedure.
How will I learn about my results?
Radiology and pathology reports will be provided to your physician
within three working days. Your physician will contact you
to explain your results and discuss further options. It is important to
understand
that evaluation of the abnormality does not end with the biopsy.
Clinical follow up is essential for all patients. Depending upon the results
of
the biopsy, other options may include six-month follow up mammography
or ultrasound, repeat image-guided biopsy or surgical biopsy.
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